Menomonee River Restoration Program Wrapped Up

The U.S Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District, and its partners recently celebrated the completion of two Great Lakes Restoration Initiative projects in Wisconsin.

The Menomonee River Ecosystem Restoration Project and the Pike River Ecosystem Restoration Project have been completed through the continued partnership and environmental commitment of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the village of Mt. Pleasant, the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD) and the city of Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

The Menomonee River Ecosystem Restoration Project began in September 2014 in an effort to restore fish passage and access to historic spawning habitats.

The project consisted of removing 2,900 feet of concrete that had lined the channel along the Menomonee River since the 1960s. Once removed, a natural riverbed was placed.

This natural riverbed has opened access to over 37 miles and 125 acres of high value, upstream, shallow wetlands that various fish species use for spawning. The project also provides connectivity between previously restored sections of the Menomonee River, while reducing the risk of flooding.

In 2014, the district also partnered with the village of Mt. Pleasant to award the Pike River Ecosystem Restoration project for tributary restoration and protection.

This project restores and enhances a low-flow channel, 43 acres of wetlands and 30 acres of prairie land. It also implements in-stream improvements to habitats for approximately one mile of the Pike River by adding natural stream features such as meanders, shelter areas and deep riffle pool complexes that provide a diverse habitat.